Ligustrum lucidum

RHS Plant Profile

Chinese privet

Other common names

Chinese wax tree, glossy privet, shining-leaved privet, white wax tree

Trees

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A small evergreen tree with broadly oval, glossy leaves to 15cm in length, and small, creamy-white flowers in panicles to 15cm in length in summer and early autumn. Fruit a small black berry, seldom formed

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Oleaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Ligustrum can be decidous or evergreen shrubs or small trees, with simple, entire leaves and panicles of small, often unpleasantly scented white flowers in spring or summer, followed by black or deep purple berries
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S & E China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by taking semi-hardwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1 in summer

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, leaf miners and thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus